Free Awakening (The Vampire Destiny Series Book #3) by Alexandra Anthony Page A

nervously watching the door but he hadn't recognized me.  Had I really changed that much?
    His hand lowered to brush against my ass possessively.   “You have changed but likely he is expecting you to be alone.”
    "There he is.  Let's just be nice and go home," I thought to him.  Shooting him a sour look over my shoulder, I used his favorite word that he used to bend me to his will.   "Please."
    “I assure you that I will be on my best behavior, vackra.”
    Scrutinizing him briefly, I huffed and shook my head.  His idea of good behavior and mine differed greatly.
    “C’mon, Romeo.”  We weaved among the other bar patrons to Aidan’s table and I slid into the chair across from him.  His eyes widened as he took in my appearance.
    "Josie?  Oh my god!  I didn't even recognize you.  You look great!"  Aidan stuttered timidly.  I wished I could say the same for Aidan.  Dressed in a faded black t-shirt and v-neck sweater, he had a scarf wrapped around his neck.  His caramel hair was longer than it had been two years ago, tumbling over his shoulders in a messy disarray.  His blue-gray eyes were hidden by his smudged, heavy black rimmed glasses.  He attempted to stand until he noticed Stefan slide into the chair behind me.  His heavy arms wrapped around my shoulders possessively as he rested his chin on the top of my head.
    I might as well get this over with before it became a pissing match.  "Aidan, this is my boyfriend, Stefan Lifsten."
    Stefan loosened one of his arms from around my shoulders and offered his hand to him.  "Aidan.  I have heard about you."
    "You must be Josie's boyfriend ."  Aidan shot me a meaningful look, then pointedly looked back at Stefan, grudgingly shaking his outstretched hand.  "I didn't know you'd be joining us tonight..."
    "Josephine and I were out when she had the pleasure of receiving your call.  I did not want to miss the opportunity to meet her editor," Stefan said smoothly, his voice sounding more accented than usual.  If Aidan knew Stefan better, he’d know that what Stefan really meant is that he didn’t want to pass up the chance to rub our relationship in his face.
    Aidan's mouth opened and closed twice.  "I'm more than her editor, you know.  I'm also an old friend."
    Stefan's lips curled back in a scornful smile that exposed every one of his gleaming white teeth.  "It appears we are all more than we seem."
    "Stefan, can you get us a drink?" I interrupted.  Stefan ripped his shark-like stare away from Aidan and gave me a questioning look.  "A Screwdriver would be great."
    Stefan inclined his head and stalked towards the bar.  His imposing figure cut through the crowd, men and women alike stopping to gape at him as he passed them.  I couldn't blame them.  He was impossibly beautiful with his Nordic good looks and impressive form.  His tight sweater accentuated the dense musculature of his chest and arms, his tight jeans stretched the long length of his legs.  I might have sighed aloud longingly as I admired him leaning across the bar to place our order.
    Aidan watched his departure along with me.  He spun around in his chair to look at me accusingly.  "So that's your type?  Thor?   Did he leave his hammer at home?"
    Frowning, I adjusted my ponytail and shifted in my seat.  "Mature much, Aidan?  Jealously doesn’t become you.”
    "You think I’m jealous of Thor?  Uh, no.  I'm only jealous that you're with him," he admitted softly.  "What's happened to you? You look...different.  I mean, you look beautiful.  You just look different.  I mean, different in a good way."
    For being a book editor, he struggled with carrying on basic conversation.  That hadn’t changed either.  I shrugged and clasped my hands together on the tabletop.  "It's been two years, Aidan.  People change."
    Aidan adjusted his glasses and ran his fingers nervously through his hair.  “I know.  When you left, I was angry for a long time.  I don’t think you ever